4 October, 2023.

Family Counseling Center Celebrates Community at Fall Gala

The Family Counseling Center of Fulton County hosted its Fall Gala on Thursday, September 28, 2023. The gala was held at Lanzi’s on the Lake in Mayfield and welcomed 200 community members to celebrate The Family Counseling Center, honor local awardees, and raise funds for important programming.

Founded in 1976 by a board of concerned community members and originally staffed by a cohort of volunteer counselors, the organization has grown and matured into a fundamental cornerstone of mental and behavioral health in the Mohawk Valley. Today, The Family Counseling Center works with 4,500 clients across six counties. Services include school-based counselors located in four school districts, a Mobile Crisis Unit, satellite office in Fort Plain, a Behavioral Health Clinic, Children and Family Services, the Domestic Violence Program of Fulton County, and more.

A live auction to support the refurbishment of the agency’s Domestic Violence shelter roof exceeded the organizer’s goals. The estimated cost of the roof repairs are $30,000, the $43,000 raised at the Gala will go toward additional renovations at the shelter including the updating of bedroom furniture that will allow entire families to be housed in the same room.

“We are truly thankful for those who joined us at our Fall Gala,” said Michael L. Countryman, Executive Director of The Family Counseling Center. “The staff at the Center were able to share our story with new and familiar faces, celebrate the individuals who have helped build our organization, and honor the work we do. We are astonished and humbled by the generosity and support we received from the community.”

The Fall Gala included the recognition of two individuals who have dedicated themselves to the communities in which The Family Counseling Center serves.

The Dr. David and Ann Lee Clough Award recognizes an individual or group for exceptional contributions to the field of behavioral health and who demonstrates continued excellence in direct or indirect services to behavioral health or care of children and their families, and who has had a profound and lasting impact through practice, teaching, research, advocacy or policy planning.

Andy Gilpin, is the Executive Director of CAPTAIN Community Human Services. He is the co-chair of the NYS Office of Children and Family Services Runaway and Homeless Youth Advisory Committee, co-chair of the Saratoga/North County Continuum of Care Board, co-chair for the Saratoga County Alliance to End Homelessness, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Coalition to End Homelessness.

The Mary Ann Harzinski Outstanding Community Service Award honors her dedication to community – highlighting the continued work of others who live, work, and volunteer within the service area of The Family Counseling Center. The award is given to an individual or organization that embodies Mary Ann’s commitment to public service.

Geoffrey Peck is the Vice President of Business Development at Nathan Littauer Hospital & Executive Director of the Nathan Littauer Foundation. He serves on the Fulton Montgomery Community College Board of Trustees, as a Board Member for the Fulton County Center for Regional Growth, Fulton County Economic Development Committee, Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce, Glove City Coalition, Gloversville City Planning Board, Adirondack Health Institute, Community Health Center/Home Healthcare Partners, Gloversville Educational Foundation, Code Blue Committee, and is a partner in the family business at Peck’s Lake.

In addition to the award honorees, the Fall Gala is presented with the help of an Honorary Organizing Committee that includes:

John & Sunday Blackmon
Shawn Cleland & Peter Kiernan
Janine & Roy Dykeman
Gail & Jerry Ryan
Dr. Gregory & Rachel Truckenmiller
Bill & Roberta Winsman

The Family Counseling Center’s Fall Gala would not have been possible without the generous support of local businesses, foundations, and individuals including:

Premier Sponsors:

John & Sunday Blackmon
Rick & Mary Frasier
Genoa Healthcare
HFM Prevention Council
Stewart’s Shops
USI One Advantage

Cocktail Hour Sponsors:

Broleco, Inc.
Law Office of Amanda L. Rose & Beth Kelly-May
William & Roberta Winsman